The influence of mechanical milling on microstructural evolution during sintered NiMnSb alloy powders
摘要
This work is focused on fabricating a NiMnSb Heusler alloy by mechanical milling and conventional sintering. Special attention is made in follow the phase evolution during the consolidation step, which is critical to conserve the shape memory properties of the milled powders. Initial powders of Ni, Mn, and Sb were dry milled for 24 h. Cylindrical green compacts were obtained by pressing that were sintered at 1273 and 1373 K in a vertical dilatometer. Phase evolution during sintering was follow by coupling dilatometry data and XRD in situ analysis. Results indicate that the L21 Heusler structure is obtained from the milling step. However, during sintering, different macroscopically changes are detected by the axial strain of samples that are associated with phase transitions and stress relief, which are confirmed by in situ XRD patterns. It is concluding that the L21 Heusler structure is preserved after the sintering cycle at high temperature.
Graphical abstract